Presenting the Teacher of the Month … Stacia Smith

PCS history teacher, Stacia Smith (center), reacts to the surprise of being chosen as Country Bank's Teacher of the Month at last week's presentation. LeAnn Card (left) nominated Smith and Judy Garvlaitis of Country Bank (right) presented the award. Steve King photo For Stacia Smith, last Wednesday seemed like a normal day, until several strangers barged into her classroom - one holding a dozen red roses and another carrying a plaque.

Each month, radio station WSRS along with WTAG and Country Bank receive hundreds of nominations from students and teachers across the region in support of their favorite teacher. This month, Smith, a history teacher at Paxton Center School, was honored as Teacher of the Month thanks to the nomination written by eighth grade student LeAnn Card.

According to Card's nomination, Smith makes history come alive.

"I never enjoyed history until now. Mrs. Smith makes it fun. She does a lot for her students and she works really hard. If anyone deserves recognition, she does," Card wrote.

Ancient civilizations and social history often leave kids yawning. Not when they're taught by Mrs. Smith, Card said.

The student detailed Smith's incorporating movies like "National Treasure" and "We Fight to be Free" into the curriculum, she worked with the class to find historical references in the films.

"We also spent time last November meeting with local veterans and learning of their experiences," Card said. "I met a man from my dad's work. He wrote that this was the first time since becoming a veteran over 37 years ago that he has been involved in such a tribute. This program that Mrs. Smith does each year, touched this man for the first time in years and he was very grateful. For me, it was an amazing experience."

Judy Garvlaitis of Country Bank, the financial education officer for the school banking program, presented the award.

"This class sounds amazing, I want to take it," Garvlaitis quipped to the students. "I want you to know there is no shortage of teachers who can be nominated for this award, but Mrs. Smith is the fourth in the history of PCS."

Both Smith and Card received a number of gifts, including a $100 gift certificate to Big Y, and $100 gift certificate to the 86 Winter restaurant and a $250 savings bond from Country Bank.

Smith needed a few moments to compose herself before addressing her students.

"Without your cooperation I could not do anything. It is because of this fantastic and talented group of kids that I can do what I do," she said. "You will all find out how special you are as you go through life, and I am honored to know you."

Vice Principal Deb Deldotto noted that Smith is well deserving of the tribute.

"I've been to Washington D.C. many times before, but I never truly saw Washington D.C. until I went with Stacia and her students. The way she showed me the city was truly amazing. She is not only talented but an incredibly nice person as well. In short, she's fantastic," Deldotto said.

"It is by far one of the biggest honors a teacher can receive to have a student feel strongly enough about you to write a nomination. You tend to get feedback from peers and parents, but for a child to feel that way … it is truly amazing," Smith said.

"I'm glad Mrs. Smith got the recognition she deserves as she dedicates most, if not all, of her time to her students. She has given me a love of history," Card said.